Starting Issue

My wife and I took the BN7 out to visit our kids today (the truth be told we went to see the grandkids). Anyway, during the trip I had a bit of trouble getting the car started. She had plenty of cranking power but she just wouldn't start. The first time I thought I had flooded her, but I was on a pretty steep hill so I just coasted down the hill put her in second and slowly released the clutch she fired up and off we went.

The second time we were in a parking structure (the wife was practicing a little retail therapy) and when I went to start her (the car that is) she had plenty of cranking power but simply would not fire up. I let her set for a bit to make sure she wasn't flooded and tried again, no luck. I then did couple of things before I tried again.

I turned the battery cut switch on and off several times,
I checked the lead from the coil to the distributer,
I removed and replaced the other electrical connections to the coil,
I took off the distributer cap inspected it, wiped it out and replaced it.

When I got back into the car turned on the ignition, pressed the starter button she fired right up.

I should mention that the weather was warm (in the high 80s) and fairly dry.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might have caused this?

Jeff

Check the points gap.

A suggestion as to what might have caused this?---Moisture in the dizzy cap.-

It's just a WAG, but it's conceivable you had a vapor lock in the flex line to the carburettors. Opening the bonnet and checking all the electrical stuff allowed the line to cool and the bubble to dissipate.

My BT7 had similar symptoms. Problem was with the battery cut-off switch. replaced it and the car started fine. Next time you have the problem try by-passing the switch or just give it a wiggle and see if that sorts it out.
Phil

fishyboy said:

My BT7 had similar symptoms. Problem was with the battery cut-off switch. replaced it and the car started fine. Next time you have the problem try by-passing the switch or just give it a wiggle and see if that sorts it out.
Phil

Click to expand...

You can also disconnect the White/Black wire at the coil, as this is the one that the cutoff switch uses to ground the ignition system. Cutoff switch could be OK on the main cranking circuit but bad on the coil-grounding circuit.

I think the battery cut-off switch is the most likely culprit, but you might also check the low tension lead between the coil and distributor. I've seen those spade connectors get corroded and/or loose.